Utah could save $10 million annually with optimization, Gov. Herbert's commission says

SALT LAKE CITY — For a government that already is doing more with less, it's difficult to find places to save money.

But the Utah Advisory Commission to Optimize State Government has found at least $10 million in annual savings if new efficiencies are implemented immediately. Over time, the state could save hundreds of millions of dollars with long-term changes.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert launched the commission, led by former Gov. Norm Bangerter, in September 2009. On Thursday, the commission presented its report to Herbert during a news conference in the state Capitol.

According to the commission report, there are 56 recommendations in five areas in which Utah can improve: restructuring state government; changing the mix between state employee salaries and benefits; using more technology in education to lower costs; implementing a strategic plan for managing prison populations; and combating fraud, waste and abuse through a statewide audit.

"This is not going to just be in a recommendation book that gets put on a shelf and gathers dust," Herbert said. "This is a significant opportunity for us to raise the bar, in state government, on efficiency."

Herbert recognized that some of the recommendations would need legislative approval to move forward.

Though he has yet to review all recommendations, Herbert said one of the intriguing options would be to reclassify salaries for state employees to decrease benefits and increase salaries.

That could help the state attract talented employees, he said. But before that happens, the state could analyze salaries compared to the private sector, he said.

Specific recommendations from the report include the following:

Department of Corrections

 Build parole violator center — $1.2 million savings annually.

 Find alternatives to incarceration.

 Study feasibility of geriatric facility.

Education

 Increase number of employees per supervisor where appropriate — $60 million to $80 million savings.

 Use online remediation for higher education — $7 million savings annually.

 Online textbooks in higher and public education — $2 million to $5 million savings annually.